How to Use Solar Pool Covers

Pool covers come in all different shapes and sizes. The average cover is designed with one goal in mind: keeping debris out of your pool. It doesn’t take an engineer to design a cover that can keep leaves out of your pool. But what if you want a cover that can do more?

Some covers are designed in a way that helps trap and transfer heat to your water. The solar pool cover is the most effective of these multi-purposed pool covers.

Key Takeaways

• Solar pool covers, also known as solar blankets, are designed to keep debris out of your pool while trapping and transferring heat to the water.
• Using a solar pool cover is straightforward – you simply lay it on the water’s surface with bubbles facing downward, and it can be rolled up when not in use.
• Solar pool covers work by reducing evaporation, containing heat, and speeding up the heating process, making them an affordable and effective way to maintain a warm and clean pool.

How Do You Use a Solar Pool Cover?

Using a solar cover is extremely simple. It doesn’t require any technical understanding or machinery. You simply lay the roll onto the surface of the water and then unroll it.

The first time you use the cover, you will likely need to make some adjustments with scissors. The cover needs to fit exactly within the edges of your pool without any overlap.

It’s also possible to order a custom pool cover that is designed specifically for your pool’s dimensions.

When unrolling the cover, it’s important to work with the bubbles facing downward. The bubbles are a mechanism that helps trap solar radiation.

When you aren’t using the cover, it’s as simple as rolling it back up. Some covers simplify this by coming on a reel that anchors near the end of the pool. Using a reel isn’t necessary, but it does make rolling and unrolling the cover much easier.

What Is A Solar Pool Cover?

Sometimes referred to as solar blankets, these covers are designed to roll out over the top of your pool and help trap heat.

Plenty of sunlight comes into contact with the water without a cover, but the heat isn’t retained in any efficient manner. Pool water is very transparent, which causes the light to pass through without being captured.

Then there’s the matter of evaporation. A large percentage of your pool’s heat is lost due to the process of evaporation. By placing a cover over the top of your pool, you can lock the warmth in the water below and prevent the process of external evaporation.

Many different pool covers can benefit a pool to some degree, but solar blankets are designed specifically with these goals in mind. An efficient solar cover can increase the temperature of your water by an impressive 5 degrees each 12 hours that the pool is covered.

How Does a Solar Cover Work?

Solar blankets work by enforcing a handful of simple principles that help keep your water warm. With the use of a cover, you don’t need to rely on expensive heat pumps or chemical solutions to keep your water warm. You can simply cover your pool and let the sunlight do all of the work for you.

There are three ways in which a solar blanket works.

Reduce Evaporation

Remember, evaporation is a big problem if you want to maintain a comfortable temperature. A single gallon of water that evaporates from a pool at 80 degrees Fahrenheit represents a temperature loss of close to 8,000 BTUs. That is a lot of heat lost throughout a single day.

Contain Heat

Your pool loses a lot of heat during the nighttime hours when the outside air is significantly cooler than the water. A solar cover works like a solar pool heater by locking the heat in the water and limiting how efficiently it moves to the outside. This means your pool can be warm and ready to go early in the morning before the sun has time to warm it up.

Speed Up The Heating Process

Finally, when used during daylight, the solar cover can increase the speed at which the water warms up. It does this by converting solar energy into heat and then trapping it in the water below. If your pool water is typically too cold to enjoy during the first few hours of sunlight, then using a solar cover can make a big difference.

Benefits Of Using A Solar Pool Cover

Several major benefits make buying a solar cover a smart investment. Here are the top three:

1. They are generally very affordable. It’s much cheaper than buying a heat pump, solar water heater or refueling a heater.
2. They can maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the night while speeding up the heating process during the day.
3. They can keep bugs, leaves, and other undesirable debris out of your pool.

Case Study: Enhancing Pool Efficiency with Solar Pool Covers

Background

A family in Florida, known for its year-round warm climate, was looking for a cost-effective solution to keep their pool warm during cooler months without incurring high energy costs. They approached Solar Panels Network USA to explore the benefits of using solar pool covers.

Project Overview

Our goal was to provide the family with a sustainable and economical method to maintain their pool’s temperature, reduce water evaporation, and keep the pool clean from debris. We proposed installing a high-quality solar pool cover tailored to their pool’s dimensions.

Implementation

• Assessment and Customization: We started by assessing the pool’s size and shape. The family opted for a custom solar pool cover to ensure a perfect fit and maximize efficiency. The cover was designed with high-quality, UV-resistant material with air bubbles to trap and transfer heat effectively.
• Installation: The installation process was straightforward. We instructed the family on how to lay the cover on the pool’s surface with bubbles facing downward to capture and retain heat. To facilitate easy removal and storage, we also provided a manual reel system.
• Education and Training: We educated the family on the optimal use of the cover, emphasizing the importance of placing it on the pool during the night and removing it during the day to maximize solar gain. We also provided tips on maintaining the cover and ensuring its longevity.

Results

• Temperature Maintenance: The family reported a significant improvement in the pool’s temperature, enjoying a consistent 5-degree increase in water warmth, which extended their swimming season by several months.
• Cost Savings: By using the solar pool cover, the family reduced their reliance on electric pool heaters, leading to substantial savings on their energy bills. The initial investment in the cover was recouped within the first year through reduced heating costs.
• Reduced Water Evaporation: The solar pool cover effectively minimized water evaporation, conserving water and reducing the frequency of pool refills. This also contributed to lower water bills and environmental conservation.
• Enhanced Pool Cleanliness: The cover kept leaves, insects, and other debris out of the pool, reducing the family’s cleaning efforts and maintaining a more hygienic swimming environment.

Summary

This case study illustrates the practical benefits of solar pool covers for enhancing pool efficiency and reducing operational costs. By investing in a custom-fit solar pool cover, the family was able to maintain a comfortable swimming temperature, save on energy costs, and keep their pool cleaner. Solar Panels Network USA provided the necessary expertise and support to ensure a seamless transition to this eco-friendly pool heating solution.

Expert Insights From Our Solar Panel Installers About Solar Pool Covers

Solar pool covers are an essential tool for maintaining pool temperature and cleanliness. They utilize solar energy efficiently, reducing the need for additional heating equipment and helping to conserve water by minimizing evaporation.

Senior Solar Technician

One of the best features of solar pool covers is their simplicity. They don’t require any technical know-how to use, and their benefits in terms of energy savings and pool maintenance are immediate and significant.

Lead Solar Installer

By reducing evaporation and retaining heat, solar pool covers not only keep your pool warmer but also reduce your overall energy costs. They are a cost-effective solution for pool owners who want to extend their swimming season without high utility bills.

Solar Energy Consultant

Conclusion

Solar pool covers, or solar blankets, offer a simple yet highly effective solution for owners seeking to maintain a warm, clean, and comfortable swimming environment. These covers are efficient in keeping debris out and play a crucial role in trapping and transferring heat to the pool water. By reducing evaporation, containing heat, and accelerating the heating process, solar pool covers serve as an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional heating methods. Their ease of use, requiring no technical expertise or complex machinery, makes them accessible to all pool owners. Whether custom-made or adjusted with scissors, these covers fit snugly over the pool, with the bubbles facing downward to maximize heat absorption. The benefits of using a solar pool cover are cost-effectiveness, temperature maintenance, and debris prevention. In essence, a solar pool cover is a smart investment for anyone looking to enhance their swimming experience while also being mindful of energy use and maintenance costs.